Heavy Metal Reviews

Pierce The VeilInterview with Singer, guitar player and
mastermind VIC FUENTES

conversation with VIC FUENTES

Post-Hardcore outfit PIERCE THE VEIL just released their third record,
„Collide With Th Sky“. Singer, guitar player and
mastermind VIC FUENTES answers some questions about the band newest
output, touring and having his brother in the band.

What do you think are the main differences between Selfish
Machines
and your new record Collide With The Sky?
VF: We took a lot more risks with this album and had lot more time and
freedom to do what we wanted. We tried to make an record that was
different than anything we've ever done and also different from any
other bands out there as well. I put a lot of focus on the vocals on
this new album and tried to improve my singing. I'm never too proud to
say that I can always get better at something.

There are many guest spots on the new record. How did you get
in touch
with those singers? And which one is your favorite?
I met Kellin (Quinn, SLEEPING WITH SIRENS - ed) through our fans on
Twitter. We did a tour with
LETLIVE., and that's how we met Jason Butler, and while we were
recording "Collide With The Sky," Lindsey Stamey was recording an
album with her band OH NO FIASCO! at the same time, so I just asked
her while we were at the studio together. I don't have a favorite
because they are all so different.

Fans have been asking for you to join forces with Kelin Quinn.
This
time you teamed up for a song. When did you guys get in touch and when
did you get the idea to work with him? Was that just to make your fans
happy or a decision you‘ve made yourself as a band?
It was both actually. I had first heard Kellin on their „Punk
Goes
Pop“-cover and I really liked his voice. I guess our fans
immediately associated us because we both have high vocals. I called up
Kellin
while we were recording and asked him if he would be willing to do a
collaboration and he was totally down. We went back and forth via
email and phone while he recorded his parts from a different studio
near his home. It all worked out in the end and now we play the song
everyday on Warped Tour.

You were working with Dan Korneff and Kato Khandwala. Why did
you
choose them to work with you on your record? What made them stand out?
We based our decision 100% on the recommendation of our friends in
MAYDAY PARADE. They had worked with both of them on previous albums
and Dan had mixed their latest self-titled record, which I think is
one of the best sounding albums I've ever heard. Their amazing work
along with their reputation for being very hard-working, down to earth
guys spoke for itself.

To me it seems like you‘ve structured the songs a
little bit
more.
It‘s not that you‘ve got a truck load of ideas you
put in one song
anymore. Was that a goal for you as you began writing?
That has always been a goal and a challenge of mine. Sometimes I
just have so many ideas going through my head that I have to force
myself not to put them all into one song, and choose the best parts
that really count. I think we tried to find a healthy balance between
all of the crazy ideas on this record.

How many songs did you write for that record?
I‘ve read you
wrote a
lot of songs, more than you put on the final record.
There are literally hundreds of songs and ideas on my hard drive. We
try to write constantly so that when it coes time to record, we at
least have a ton of ideas and skeletons to work with.

You told AP mag once that your third record might become a pop
record.
Obviously it‘s not. What happened?
I honestly have no idea. We just wrote naturally and didn't force
any style or vibe on ourselves. What ended up shaping the album was a
bunch of songs that we felt the most confident about. It just so
happens that they are all a little more rock than our previous albums.
I think the important part is to push ourselves to try new things.
This will create the most interesting results.

You‘re recorded a cover of Bruno Mars‘ hit
single
Just The Way You Are
for the Pop Goes Pop series. What made you choose this track?
I am just a big fan of Bruno Mars' voice. I think he sings with a
lot of real soul and emotion. I really admire singers that can sing
anything and make you feel it and believe it.

You haven‘t toured a lot in Europe. Other bands are
over here
quite a
lot. Are you going to change that with the new touring cycle?
And why
are you coming over rarely?
It is really expensive for us to tour in Europe, especially since we
are just starting out over there and don't make a whole lot of money
to pay for our flights and expenses. We want nothing more but to keep
coming back and building our fan base though. This new album has
created more of a demand than ever for us to travel so we will
definitely be back more often.

There are two brothers in the band. Honestly: Is it a blessing
or a
curse to have a family member in the band?
-t is really nice being in a band with my brother Mike. I love being
able to share all of these amazing experiences with my family. I
think that's why I rarely get homesick.

You‘ve got a lot of passionate fans all over the
world. What
was the
weirdest thing a fan ever did for you?
Well it was really weird when we went to Mexico, there was all kinds
of random bootleg Pierce The Veil merch outside of the venue. I guess
this isn't really a fan thing but it was stil really funny. At least
now I own a Pierce The Veil coffe mug, haha!

What
are you going to
do when YOUR DEMISE calls it a day?

EM:
I’m becoming what I
was supposed to do, becoming a hair dresser, haha.